The Bible
warns us that in the last days in which we live there will be many false
Christs-those who claim to be Christ but who are imposters. Jesus said,
"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying
I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matt. 24:4-5). We who profess to
be Christians must take heed. We must be very careful that we are not deceived.
Our calling is to trust, love, and follow the true Christ and Him only.
We may have nothing to do with the false Christs who are so numerous in
our day.

We know
about the Christ of the cults and other religions. He is a good man, a
prophet, the first creation of God, a great spirit, a divine idea, or even
a god himself. But he is not true and eternal God. He receives his existence
from another who is greater than he. He is not the Christ of the Bible.
We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.

We know
about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. They profess that He is true God.
He suffered and died for the forgiveness of sin. He arose again, ascended
into heaven, and is coming again. But he is not a complete Savior. The
Christ of the Roman Catholics can not save sinners without their own good
works and the intercession of priests. He is not the Christ of the Bible.
We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.

There
is, however, another false Christ who is much more dangerous than the Christ
of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism. He has deceived people
for many years and he continues to deceive millions. This Christ is so
dangerous that, if it were not impossible, he would deceive the very elect
(Matt. 24:24). He is the Christ of Arminianism.

This false
Christ is extremely dangerous because in many ways he appears to be the
True Christ. They say that he is true God, equal with the Father and the
Holy Spirit. They say that he died on the cross to save sinners. They even
say that he saves by his grace alone, without the work of man. This Christ
will have nothing to do with the Christ of the cults and the Christ of
Roman Catholicism.

But watch
out! Be warned! The Christ of Arminianism is not the Christ of the Bible.
Do not be fooled!

1. The
Christ of Arminianism - loves every individual person in the world
and sincerely desires their salvation.

2. The
Christ of Arminianism - offers salvation to every sinner and does all
in his power to bring them to salvation. His offer and work are often frustrated,
for many refuse to come.

The
Christ of the Bible - effectually calls to Himself only the elect and
sovereignly brings them to salvation. Not one of them will be lost. (Isa.
55:11, John 5:21, John 6:37-40, John 10:25-30, John 17:2, Phil. 2:13)

3. The
Christ of Arminianism - can not regenerate and save a sinner who does
not first choose Christ with his own "free will." All men have a "free
will" by which they can either accept or reject Christ. That "free will"
may not be violated by Christ.

The
Christ of the Bible - sovereignly regenerates the elect sinner apart
from his choice, for without regeneration the spiritually dead sinner can
not choose Christ. Faith is not man's contribution to salvation but the
gift of Christ which He sovereignly imparts in regeneration. (John 3:3,
John 6:44, 65, John 15:16, Acts 11:18, Rom. 9:16, Eph. 2:1, Eph 2:8-10,
Phil. 1:29, Heb. 12:2)

4. The
Christ of Arminianism - died on the cross for every individual person
and thereby made it possible for every person to be saved. His death, apart
from the choice of man, was not able to actually save anyone for many for
whom he died are lost.

The
Christ of the Bible - died for only God's elect people and thereby
actually obtained salvation for all those for whom He died. His death was
a substitutionary satisfaction which actually took away the guilt of His
chosen people. (Luke 19:10, John 10:14-15, 26, Acts 20:28, Rom. 5:10, Eph.
5:25, Heb 9:12, I Pet. 3:18)

5. The
Christ of Arminianism - loses many whom he has "saved" because they
do not continue in faith. Even if he does give them "eternal security,"
as some say, that security is not based upon his will or work but the choice
which the sinner made when he accepted Christ.

The
Christ of the Bible - preserves His chosen people so that they can
not lose their salvation but persevere in the faith to the very end. He
preserves them by the sovereign electing will of God, the power of His
death, and the mighty working of His Spirit. (John 5:24, John 10:26-29,
Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 8:35-39, I Pet. 1:2-5, Jude 24-25)

As you
can see, although the Christ of Arminianism and the Christ of the Bible
may at first seem to be the same, they are very different. One is a false
Christ. The other is the true Christ. One is weak and helpless. He bows
before the sovereign "free will" of man. The other is the reigning Lord
Who wills what He pleases and sovereignly accomplishes all that He wills.

If you
believe and serve the Christ of Arminianism, you must recognize the fact
that you do not serve the Christ of the Bible. You have been deceived!
Study the Scriptures and learn of the True Christ. Pray for grace to repent
and trust Christ as your sovereign Savior.